Uva surge in March: Barksdale soaks in the moment as Virginia women escape in First Four thriller
uva is living two versions of March Madness at once, from a freshman forward learning the grind behind the scenes to a women’s team that just survived a one-possession NCAA Tournament opener. In Philadelphia, Silas Barksdale described the experience as “surreal, ” even while not playing during a redshirt season, as the Cavaliers set up a first-round men’s matchup against Wright State at 1: 50 p. m. ET Friday. In Iowa City on Thursday night (March 19), Virginia’s women edged Arizona State 57-55 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena to claim the program’s first NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament win since 2018.
Barksdale’s March moment with uva: “Not being able to play, but being able to experience this is awesome”
Barksdale, who grew up in Newport News, said taking in the NCAA Tournament atmosphere has been a goal since childhood. “Growing up watching March Madness, you just always wanted to be a part of it, ” he said. “It’s a great feeling. ”
Even while redshirting, Barksdale framed the year as a season of growth, saying he has adjusted to the college game and tried to help the team prepare in practice for what’s ahead. “I feel like I have gotten much better, helping the team in may ways, ” Barksdale said. “Helping them get ready for the games that are coming up and prepare for different positions. ”
Senior center Ugonna Onyenso pointed to Barksdale’s daily work, saying, “He’s really helped us at practice. Silas is a really good player. I’m looking forward to what his career is going to look like because he knows how to play. ” Senior guard Malik Thomas added, “He’s been a great teammate and just a great support system and his time will come. ”
Barksdale also tied his readiness to his high school experience, noting he helped lead Woodside to back-to-back state crowns in 2023 and 2024. “I feel like that has prepared me as just becoming a man, ” he said, describing the confidence and preparation he draws from those environments.
On his coaching choice, Barksdale recalled that he was initially committed to VCU for head coach Ryan Odom and opted to follow Odom to ensure Odom would be his head coach. “First thing I said to him, I said ‘I don’t want to be coached by anybody but you, ’” Barksdale said. “I believe in Coach Odom. ”
Virginia women survive Arizona State 57-55, advance to face No. 24 Georgia
Thursday night (March 19) in Iowa City, the 10th-seeded Virginia women’s basketball team (20-11) defeated 10th-seeded Arizona State (24-11) 57-55 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, earning its first NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament victory since 2018. The Cavaliers advance to play seventh-seeded No. 24 Georgia (22-9) on Saturday (March 21) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, with tipoff set for 1: 30 p. m. ET on ESPN2.
Kymora Johnson led Virginia with 17 points while adding 10 rebounds and five assists. Caitlin Weimar gave Virginia a lift off the bench with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
The game stayed tight early, with neither team leading by more than four until the final two minutes of the first quarter. Virginia closed the period on a 7-0 run and led 19-14 after shooting 7-for-13 in the opening 10 minutes. A defensive second quarter pushed the Cavaliers to a 30-22 halftime edge, as Virginia shot 26 percent but held Arizona State to 14 percent, and ASU missed its last seven shots of the half.
Arizona State responded in the third, shooting 50 percent, but the Cavaliers limited the Sun Devils to eight attempts and forced six turnovers in the quarter. Virginia carried a 40-36 lead into the fourth. The Sun Devils rallied late, tying it 51-51 on a 3-pointer with 41 seconds left, the first tie since halfway through the opening quarter. Johnson answered with a clutch 3-pointer on the next possession, and with Virginia up 57-55 and four seconds remaining, Paris Clark sealed it with a steal.
Immediate reactions: “We were so urgent at the end and we just stayed together”
Virginia head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton praised her team’s composure after the late push from Arizona State. “I’m really proud of our players. That was a gutsy performance, ” Agugua-Hamilton said. “We had to ground that one out. ” She credited Arizona State’s physical defensive identity and highlighted her team’s response to pressure: “We just kind of weathered the storm… but we were so urgent at the end and we just stayed together and really was on one accord. ”
What’s next for uva: Friday afternoon on the men’s side, Saturday afternoon for the women
The immediate calendar is set: the Cavaliers are scheduled to face Wright State at 1: 50 p. m. ET Friday in the men’s first round, while the women return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena to meet No. 24 Georgia at 1: 30 p. m. ET Saturday (March 21). For uva, the next wave of March moments is coming fast—some under the brightest lights, others built quietly in practice, with players like Barksdale already preparing for the chance to take the floor in a Virginia jersey.
